Nova Scotia Opens Borders to Import Wine

Nova Scotians can now have their favourite Canadian wines delivered directly to their homes.

Diana Whalen, Minister responsible for the Liquor Control Act, announced today, June 25, that Nova Scotians can now import locally grown and produced Canadian wine for personal use without going through the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation.

“The Canadian wine industry is growing and consumers want to be able to order wine directly from wineries across the country,” said Ms. Whalen. “This is good for business here in Nova Scotia and good for consumers. I am pleased we are opening our borders to help create an open market for Canadian wine and I hope other provinces will do the same.”

Regulations to support importation of wine in Nova Scotia are now in effect. They were developed in consultation and with strong support from the wine sector and other industry groups.

Wine can now be imported into Nova Scotia from another province for personal consumption if:

— the winery that produced the wine is licensed and legally permitted to produce and sell wine— at least 85 per cent of the wine content in the bottle is derived from fruits or other agricultural products grown in the province that produced the wine and the remaining content in the bottle is derived from fruits or other agricultural products grown within Canada — the consumer buys the wine from the winery that produced it.

These regulations follow the federal government lifting a prohibition on individual importation of wine. Nova Scotia is the third province to respond by removing its barriers. British Columbia and Manitoba are the only other provinces that allow for direct importation.

“The Canadian wine industry applauds the Nova Scotia government’s leadership in supporting consumer choice and recognizing the significant potential for the local and national wine industry by eliminating an internal barrier to trade that dates back more than 80 years,” said Dan Paszkowski, president and CEO of the Canadian Vintners Association. “Reducing barriers for consumers to directly purchase Canadian wines is critical to growing the entire industry.”

Canada’s wine industry contributes $6.8 billion annually to the Canadian economy. Opening Nova Scotia’s borders to the importation of wine is expected to help grow its sales market share beyond the current 10 per cent level.